Normally, I would say that's the most absurd rumor I've ever seen. Apple selling a sub $500 Mac is just unthinkable. However, if you think about it, it would be HUGE not only in terms of PC to Mac conversions, but think of the schools that WANT to buy a Mac because of its ease of use and low maintenance needs, but simply couldn't afford it. This would sell to schools like water to a stranded Bill Gates in the middle of the Sahara desert!<br><br>On the other hand, the reasonable side of me (small as it is) is quite skeptical about Apple being able to produce a G4 with a combo drive for such a low price. But to counter that arguement, you simply need to look at the eMac – remove the monitor and you're pretty much there already, just some R&D to make the thing smaller is all that is needed.<br><br>Whatever the case, I'll file this one under the "I would love to see it, but I'm not willing to hold my breath" category!<br><br>

Sounds like Apple may have finally seen the light about <A HREF=http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,58310,00.html>[color:ROYALBLUE]<U>John Fraser's homebrew Pizza Box iMacs (from early 2003)</U></FONT></A>.<br><br>

The Appleinsider rumor says $599. <br><br>But really, if the rumor is true, there's not a lot of cost in it. With older components and cheap Asian labor, they should be able to get a $50 margin and a $25 retailer profit out of it. <br><br>They would no doubt have a good/better/best lineup, with the $499 one being at the low-end. <br><br>

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